Harris 'fed up' after third successive Millwall defeat

MILLWALL boss Neil Harris said he was “lost for words” after Millwall’s 3-1 defeat to Port Vale on Tuesday night.

It was Millwall’s third successive league defeat and their fifth without a win as Port Vale recorded their sixth victory in a row at home this season.

The defensive frailties that have been evident since the 2-2 draw at MK Dons were apparent again at Vale Park, particularly when Remie Streete was left free in the box to head home Sam Hart’s corner to make it 3-0 in the 71st minute.

Harris’ side had also failed to pick up Sam Foley on the edge of the box inn the 59th minute and when his shot fell to the feet of Martin Paterson, the attacker doubled the advantage from close range.

Harris felt Port Vale’s opening goal could have been avoided when, similar to Rochdale last Saturday, Millwall failed to stop a cross from the right wing, and this time it was Alex Jones who fired Bruno Ribeiro’s side in front.

Millwall did create chances, and Jak Alnwick was never entirely confident under a succession of crosses. Wingers David Worrall and Shane Ferguson also sent efforts from outside the box just wide, while Steve Morison forced Alnwick into a smart first-half save.

But Harris felt “amateurish” defending cost his side as Millwall conceded three goals for the third game in a row.

“I’m getting fed up of saying the same things, to be honest,” Harris said. “Some of our play was excellent, we created numerous chances and should have scored numerous goals, but just didn’t have the killer instinct in front of goal.

“But the goals we are conceding are just amateurish. The first goal we’ve missed tackles, not cleared our lines, not got tight enough to people in our box and, again, the ball ends up in the back of our net.

“The second and third goals were straight from set-pieces. It’s concentration, discipline, I’m lost for words, really. We’ve got some senior players on the pitch and young lads who help each other. But it’s just basics in football, it’s desire to get on the end of crosses.

“I’ve prided myself and the team have on 18 months of being solid and reliable. I thought our shape without the ball was really good and I thought our use of ball was better than it’s been probably all season.

“We got numerous crosses into the box, created so many clear-cut chances, but didn’t take them. And all that matters is we lost 3-1.”